N.J. reactions mixed on Obama decision to grant work permits to some young immigrants rather than deport them

Nicholas Kamm/AFP Getty ImagesPresident Barack Obama delivers a statement in the Rose of the White House in Washington today.

UNION COUNTY — New Jersey residents have mixed feelings about a policy announced this morning by President Obama that would allow hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants who came to the country as children to work here legally.

The policy change affects those who came to the country under the age of 16 and have been here at least five years. They must be attending school or have graduated from high school or earned a GED or honorably discharged from military service. They must not be over 30 years old now and have never been convicted of a felony.

Some Union County residents approached at parks and restaurants in Elizabeth said the announcement is great news for men and women struggling to find work in a down economy that does not require citizenship documentation.

"It's really cool because this would help a lot of people, especially in Elizabeth," said Andrea, 29, who declined to give her last name. "Its also kind of bittersweet that we get this now when the economy is so bad and there are so few jobs to begin with.

Many illegal immigrants Andrea said she knows in Elizabeth who hail from countries in South America and Europe have packed up and gone home in recent months because of how little work is available here.

Jason Grod, 22, of Union is not in favor of the policy, which is effective immediately, because citizens should get first crack at the few jobs available for average, middle-class Americans.

"A lot of people don't have jobs to begin with, but they're still paying taxes," Grod said.

So long as illegal immigrants are not "starting trouble" by joining gangs, they should be given a pathway to stay in the U.S. legally, said Paul Nash, 22, of Elizbeth.

"If you grew up here, you're working here, you're going to school here, why not let them stay?" Nash said.